Titelprent voor: Les enfants terribles after 1838

This print, made by Paul Gavarni, is created using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. The texture of the print, achieved through the manipulation of grease on a stone surface, gives it a soft, almost dreamlike quality, contrasting with the mischievous subject matter. Gavarni was a master of this technique, using it to capture the nuances of everyday life in Paris. The marks feel spontaneous, even though printing is a labor-intensive medium. Lithography allowed artists to reach a wider audience. Prints like these were often satirical, offering social commentary on the changing urban landscape and the behaviors of its inhabitants. The "terrible children" depicted here, sprawled across a sofa amidst scattered toys, embody a certain bourgeois freedom, a world away from the realities of working-class families. Gavarni's skilled use of lithography brings this scene to life, inviting us to reflect on the social dynamics of his time. By appreciating the materials and processes involved, we can gain a richer understanding of the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and the broader cultural context in which it was created.